Pathology Commons^™

Clinico-Pathological Profile And Outcomes Of Patients With Polycythaemia Vera, Essential Thrombocythaemia And Idiopathic Myelofibrosis: A Tertiary Care Center Experience From Southern Pakistan, Muhammad Shariq Shaikh, Mohammad Usman Shaikh, Salman Naseem Adil, Mohammad Khurshid, Zeeshan Ansar Ahmed

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: The “Philadelphia Negative Classic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms” include polycythaemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythaemia (ET) andidiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF). These three disorders share several clinical and laboratory features including JAK2 V617F mutation. Our objectives were to determine the clinicoat hological profile and outcomes of Pakistani patients with polycythaemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythaemia (ET) and idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) in order to have an insight regarding behaviour of these conditions.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of all the cases of PV, ET and IMF diagnosed at our institute from January 1995 to December 2013 was performed.Age, gender, clinical presentation, laboratory investigations, treatment provided and …

Agreement Of Direct Antifungal Susceptibility Testing From Positive Blood Culture Bottles With The Conventional Method For Candida Species, Kauser Jabeen, Haresh Kumar, Joveria Farooqi, Raunaq Mehboob, Mary E. Brandt, Afia Zafar

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Early availability of antifungal susceptibilities can ensure timely institution of targeted therapy in candidemia, which can improve patient outcomes. This study prospectively determines the agreement between the results of direct testing of antifungal susceptibilities from blood culture bottles by disk diffusion and Etest and the results of standardized susceptibility testing methods; direct testing would allow susceptibility results to be available 1 to 2 days earlier. A total of 104 blood cultures with different Candida species (28% C. albicans, 27% C. parapsilosis, 26% C. tropicalis, etc.) were evaluated between January 2012 and May 2013 for agreement of fluconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin …

Results From The Survey Of Antibiotic Resistance (Soar) 2011-14 In The Democratic Republic Of Congo, Ivory Coast, Republic Of Senegal And Kenya, A. Kacou-Ndouba, Gunturu Revathi, P. Mwathi, A. Seck, A. Diop, M. J. Kabedi-Bajani, W. Mwiti, M. J. Anguibi-Pokou, I. Morrissey, D. Torumkuney

Pathology, East Africa

Objectives: To assess antibiotic susceptibility of community-acquired respiratory tract isolates from Ivory Coast, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Senegal in 2011–14.

Methods: Bacterial isolates were collected and MICs determined using Etest^® for all antibiotics except erythromycin, for which testing was by disc diffusion. Susceptibility was assessed using CLSI, EUCAST and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) breakpoints. For macrolide interpretation, CLSI breakpoints were adjusted for incubation in CO₂.

Results: Susceptibility to penicillin (using CLSI oral or EUCAST breakpoints) was low among isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from the DRC and Kenya (17.4% and 19%, respectively) but higher among isolates from …

Adding A Single Low-Dose Of Primaquine (0.25 Mg/Kg) To Artemether-Lumefantrine Did Not Compromise Treatment Outcome Of Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria In Tanzania: A Randomized, Single-Blinded Clinical Trial, Richard Mwaiswelo, Billy Ngasala, Irina Jovel, Berit Aydin‑Schmidt, Roland Gosling, Zul Premji, Bruno Mmbando, Anders Björkman, Andreas Mårtensson

Pathology, East Africa

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recently recommended the addition of a single low-dose of the gametocytocidal drug primaquine (PQ) to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in low transmission set‑ tings as a component of pre-elimination or elimination programmes. However, it is unclear whether that influences the ACT cure rate. The study assessed treatment outcome of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) plus a single PQ dose (0.25 mg/kg) versus standard AL regimen for treatment of acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Tanzania.

Methods: A randomized, single-blinded, clinical trial was conducted in Yombo, Bagamoyo district, Tanzania. Acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria patients aged ≥1 year, …

Safety Of A Single Low-Dose Of Primaquine In Addition To Standard Artemether-Lumefantrine Regimen For Treatment Of Acute Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria In Tanzania, Richard Mwaiswelo, Billy Ngasala, Irina Jovel, Roland Gosling, Zul Premji, Eugenie Poirot, Bruno Mmbando, Anders Björkman, Andreas Mårtensson

Pathology, East Africa

Background: This study assessed the safety of the new World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of adding a single low-dose of primaquine (PQ) to standard artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), regardless of individual glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) status, for treatment of acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Tanzania.

Methods: Men and non-pregnant, non-lactating women aged ≥1 year with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were enrolled and randomized to either standard artemether-lumefantrine (AL) regimen alone or with a 0.25 mg/kg single-dose of PQ. PQ was administered concomitantly with the first AL dose. All drug doses were supervised. Safety was evaluated between days 0 and 28. …

Central, Extraventricular And Atypical Neurocytomas: A Clinicopathologic Study Of 35 Cases From Pakistan Plus A Detailed Review Of The Published Literature, Zubair Ahmad, Nasir Ud Din, Aisha Memon, Mohammad Usman Tariq, Romana Idrees, Sheema Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Central neurocytomas are rare neuronal neoplasms with a favorable prognosis. They are typically located in the lateral ventricles of the brain and mostly histologically correspond to WHO grade II with a Mib 1 labelling index of 2 % and are designated as "atypical neurocytomas.AIM: The aim of our study was to describe the common as well as unusual morphologic features and the role of various immunohistochemical stains in the diagnosis of these rare tumors.MATERIALS AND Methods: We retrieved and reviewed 35 cases diagnosed between 2001 and 2015.Results: Sixty percent of patients were males, and the mean age was 26 …

Errors In Surgical Pathology Reports: A Study From A Major Center In Pakistan, Zubair Ahmad, Romana Idrees, Nasir Uddin, Arsalan Ahmed, Saira Fatima

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background:
Errors in surgical pathology diagnosis can have serious consequences for the patient. Since the final product of a surgical pathology lab is the report, errors can be picked by reviewing reports of cases.AIM: To determine the frequency and types of error in surgical pathology reports of cases signed out in 2014 in a laboratory in Karachi, Pakistan.
Material and Methods:
All surgical pathology reports in which changes were made in the original report after sign out and an amended report was issued were included. Errors included: (1) misinterpretations; (2) missing critical information; (3) erroneous critical information; (4) misidentification; and …

Effect Of Raised Body Fat On Vitamin D, Leptin And Bone Mass, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Saad Farooq, Maaida Asif Tauni, Omar Irfan, Faiza Alam

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: To estimate leptin, vitamin D and bone mineral density levels in individuals with high fat mass, and to assess any correlation.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Karachi, and Aga Khan University, Karachi, from August 2012 to July 2014, and comprised healthy male volunteers between the ages of 18-60 years. Body fat percentage was determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis and the participants were classified as: Group A (15-21.9); Group B (22-27.9); and Group C ( > 28). Bone mineral density was calculated by ultrasound bone densitometer (T-score between +1 and …

Labrad : Vol 41, Issue 3 - December 2015, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi

LABRAD - Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Radiology Archives

• Overview on Approach to Inherited Bleeding Disorders
• Diagnostic Approach to Haemoglobinopathies
• Transient Abnormal Myelopoiesis
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) in Children
• Role of Histopathology in the Diagnosis of Paediatric Renal Tumours
• Role of Histopathology in the Diagnosis of Paediatric Bone and Soft Tissue Small Round Cell Tumours
• Evaluation of Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) In a Nutshell
• An Update on Blood Lead Levels in Children
• Clinical Utility of Immature Platelet Fraction – An advanced 25 Parameter in Laboratory Hematology
• Meeting Report: “Les Confluences” The Society for the Study 30 of Inborn errors of Metabolism (SSIEM) Annual Symposium 2015 in Lyon, France

Ependymal Tumors With Oligodendroglioma Like Clear Cells: Experience From A Tertiary Care Hospital In Pakistan, Fauzan Alam Hashmi, Muhammad Faheem Khan, Saad Akhtar Khan, Muhammad Waqas, Muhammad Ehsan Bari, Arsalan Ahmed

Section of Neurosurgery

Background: Ependymal tumors with oligodendroglioma like clear cells have never been reported from Pakistan. We aimed to see the features and outcomes of this rare entity.
Methods: It was retrospective cohort conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery, Aga Khan University from 2003 to 2013. The medical records and radiology of patients with proven histopathology were reviewed. Analysis was done on SPSS 20.
Results: Eleven cases of ependymal tumors with clear cells were found, which equated to 1.5% of the total tumor burden in 11 years. The median age was 49 years. Most common presenting symptom was headache 54.5%. Out of …

Spectrum Of Histopathological Findings In Postmenopausal Bleeding, Muhammad Usman Tariq, Romana Idress, Ahmed Raheem, Naila Kayani

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective:To determine the frequencies of histopathological findings in endometrial and endocervical biopsy samples with clinical history of Postmenopausal Bleeding (PMB). Study Design:Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study:Section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from February 2012 to January 2013. Methodology:Atotal of 157 consecutive endometrial and endocervical biopsy specimens with history of postmenopausal bleeding were included. After microscopic examination, frequencies of histological findings in different age groups were generated. Chi-square and independent sample t-tests were applied to see whether the difference was significant which was set at p < 0.05. Results:One hundred and twenty-one (77.1%) specimens showed benign pathologies while 36 (22.9%) were malignant. Endometrial polyp was seen in 67 (42.7%) cases followed by endometrial carcinomas in 25 (15.9%), endometrial hyperplasia in 21 (13.4%), cervical carcinoma in 12 (7.6%) and cervical polyps in 9 (5.7%) cases. Ahighly significant increase in the percentage of malignant and pre-malignant lesions was seen with increasing age group (p < 0.001). Mean age of patients with type-2 endometrial carcinoma was higher than type-1 endometrial carcinoma but statistical significance was not observed (70.2 ±6.5 vs. 61.8 ±9.1 years respectively, p=0.069). Conclusion:Although benign pathologies were more common in postmenopausal bleeding but the collective proportion of endometrial and cervical malignancies and pre-malignant conditions was quite high. Therefore, PMB should be urgently evaluated for cause and early commencement of treatment

Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Patient Presenting With Medulloblastoma, Jan Kalimullah, Abdul Malik Amir Humza Sohail, Rai Shahjehan, Sabeehuddin Siddique, Muhammad Ehsan Bari

Section of Neurosurgery

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant syndrome with a frequency of 1 in 25,000 live births and a penetrance of almost 100% by the sixth decade of life. The main tumors occurring in NF2 patients are bilateral vestibular schwannomas, other peripheral, cranial and spinal nerve schwannomas, intracranial and intraspinal meningiomas, ependymomas, and gliomas.
Case description: We report the case of a 6-year-old boy who presented with a 1-month history of nausea and recurrent vomiting. Physical examination was positive for ataxic gait and left-sided facial nerve palsy. Family history was positive for NF2 in the patient's father and …

A Rare Haemoglobin Variant Identified As K Woolwich In A Pakistani Male, Sidra Asad Ali, Natasha Bahadur Ali

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Haemoglobin (Hb) K Woolwich is a rare Hb variant which was first described in a family from West Indies and its occurrence was later reported mainly in Black families from many African countries. We report a case of a young male who came for evaluation of anemia. His complete blood count showed hypochromic, microcytic anemia and his serum ferritin was low. Hb electrophoresis done as part of initial workup showed an abnormal band which moved faster than HbA. For further evaluation, Hb analysis by high performance liquid chromatography was subsequently performed and revealed Hb K Woolwich. This is a rare …

Aleukemic Myeloid Sarcoma Of The Breast, Muhammad Shariq Shaikh, Naila Kayani

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Myeloid sarcoma is a solid collection of leukemic blast cells outside bone marrow. It is seen infrequently in association with overt Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), however, it invariably transforms into this aggressive condition. A28-year woman presented with a lump in left breast for last 2 years. Morphological and immunophenotypic results of breast mass were consistent with myeloid sarcoma. Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy were normal, however, patient died after one and a half years of diagnosis. Myeloid sarcoma at any extramedullary site heralds development of overt acute myeloid leukemia and should be appropriately managed at the time of diagnosis

Establishing Quality Control Values For Hematology Parameters: An Insight, Muhammad Shariq Shaikh

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Lymphangioma Circumscriptum: Clinicopathological Spectrum Of 29 Cases, Saira Fatima, Nasir Uddin, Romana Idrees, Khurram Minhas, Zubair Ahmad, Rashida Ahmad, Naila Kayani, Muhammad Arif

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective:
To describe the clinicopathological spectrum of Lymphangioma Circumscriptum (LC).
Study Design:
Observational case series.
Place and Duration of Study:
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, AKUH, Karachi, from 2002 to 2012.
Methodology:
All reported cases of LC were retrieved from medical record. Clinical and pathological features were noted. Frequency percentages were determined.
Results:
There were 29 cases of LC predominantly males (62%). The mean age was 27.17 ±15.5 years. The commonest sites was anal/perianal region (24%) followed by extremities (17%) and tongue, (14%). Vulval LC was seen in 3 patients. Two cases were described on scrotum. The lesions were most …

Pathogen-Specific Burdens Of Community Diarrhoea In Developing Countries: A Multisite Birth Cohort Study (Mal-Ed), Sadia Shakoor, Shahida Qureshi, Furqan Kabir, Anita K. M. Zaidi, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Imran Ahmed, Didar Alam, Syed Asad Ali, Muneera Rasheed, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Ali Turab, Aisha Khizar Yousafzai

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Most studies of the causes of diarrhoea in low-income and middle-income countries have looked at severe disease in people presenting for care, and there are few estimates of pathogen-specific diarrhoea burdens in the community.
Methods: We undertook a birth cohort study with not only intensive community surveillance for diarrhoea but also routine collection of non-diarrhoeal stools from eight sites in South America, Africa, and Asia. We enrolled children within 17 days of birth, and diarrhoeal episodes (defined as maternal report of three or more loose stools in 24 h, or one loose stool with visible blood) were identified through …

Symptomatic Surgically Treated Non-Neoplastic Cysts Of The Central Nervous System: A Clinicopathological Study From Pakistan, Nasir Ud Din, Huma Arshad, Zubair Ahmad, Sheema H Hasan, Mohammad Ehsan Bar

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective: To report clinicopathologic features of symptomatic surgically removed non-neoplastic cysts of the central nervous system (CNS). Study Design: Case series. Place and Duration of Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from 2003 to 2012. Methodology: All non-neoplastic CNS cysts reported during the study period were retrieved and reviewed. Age, gender, location, histologic type and clinical features were noted. Results: A total of 124 cysts were diagnosed in the study period. These included 44 epidermoid cysts (mean age 30.5 ± 13.8 years), 35 colloid cysts (mean age 31 ± 13.2 years), 32 arachnoid cysts (mean age 24.8 ± 20.2 …

Association Of Obesity With Infertility Among Pakistani Men: A Case Control Study, Nida Zahid, Sarah Saleem, Syed Iqbal Azam, Tariq Moatter

Community Health Sciences

Background: The reported prevalence of infertility in Pakistan is 21% of which 35% is contributed by male factor. Male infertility has multifactorial etiologies ranging from modifiable to genetic risk factors. Among all the risk factors that may account for male infertility, obesity is one of the emerging public health problems. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the association of obesity with infertility in Pakistani men.
Methods: We conducted a case control study. Cases were men with impaired semen parameters and controls did not have impaired semen parameters.
Results: The final multivariable logistic regression model after adjusting for …

Labrad : Vol 41, Issue 2 - July 2015, Aga Khan Universiity Hospital, Karachi

LABRAD - Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Radiology Archives

• An Overview of Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease
• Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) a Marker of Acute Kidney Injury
• Celiac Disease: Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Monitoring
• Pathophysiology of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria and Diagnosis by Flowcytommetry
• Pathological Changes in Renal Transplant Biopsies not Related to Allo-Immune Mechanisms
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes
• Fluorescent Optical Method for Platelet Estimation: An Advanced Clinical Parameter in Laboratory Hematology
• Introduction of Beta-D-Glucan and Galactomannan - Testing for Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Infections
• Basic Concepts in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Iron Chelation In Patients With Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia: An Insight On Response To Deferasirox, Muhammad Shariq Shaikh, Salman Naseem Adil

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Aspergillus Fumigatus Spinal Abscess In An Immunocompetent Child, Mohammad Faizan Zahid, Joveria Farooqi

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Relationship Between Antibody Susceptibility And Lipopolysaccharide O-Antigen Characteristics Of Invasive And Gastrointestinal Nontyphoidal Salmonellae Isolates From Kenya, Robert S. Onsare, Francesca Micoli, Luisa Lanzilao, Renzo Alfini, Chinyere K. Okoro, Anne W. Muigai, Gunturu Revathi, Allan Saul, Samuel Kariuki, Calman A. Maclennan, Simona Rondini

Pathology, East Africa

Background: Nontyphoidal Salmonellae (NTS) cause a large burden of invasive and gastrointestinal disease among young children in sub-Saharan Africa. No vaccine is currently available. Previous reports indicate the importance of the O-antigen of Salmonella lipopolysaccharide for virulence and resistance to antibody-mediated killing. We hypothesised that isolates with more O-antigen have increased resistance to antibody-mediated killing and are more likely to be invasive than gastrointestinal.

Methodology/Principal findings: We studied 192 NTS isolates (114 Typhimurium, 78 Enteritidis) from blood and stools, mostly from paediatric admissions in Kenya 2000-2011. Isolates were tested for susceptibility to antibody-mediated killing, using whole adult serum. O-antigen structural …

Labrad : Vol 41, Issue 1 - March 2015, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi

LABRAD - Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Radiology Archives

• An Overview of Proficiency Testing
• Sources of Pre-analytical Variations
• Five Q-Framework for Implementing Total Quality Management in Laboratory
• Delta Check in Clinical Laboratory
• Indicators of Quality Improvement in Surgical Pathology
• Types of Analytical Errors
• Method Validation for Quantitative Tests: CAP Recommendations
• Levey Jenning Chart and a Guide to Use Westgard Rules
• Quality Control of Vitek-2 System
• Establishing Quality Control Values for Haematology Parameters

Characterization Of Genomic Variations In Snps Of Pe_Pgrs Genes Reveals Deletions And Insertions In Extensively Drug Resistant (Xdr) M. Tuberculosis Strains From Pakistan., Akber Kanji, Zahra Hasan, Ruth Mcnerney, Mridul Nair, Asho Ali, Kim Mallard, Taane G. Clark, Ambreen Zaver, Sana Jafri,, Rumina Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

BACKGROUND:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) PE_PGRS genes belong to the PE multigene family. Although the function of PE_PGRS genes is unknown, it is hypothesized that the PE_PGRS genes may be associated with antigenic variability in MTB.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Whole genome sequencing analysis was performed on (n=37) extensively drug-resistant (XDR) MTB strains from Pakistan, which included Lineage 1 (East African Indian, n=2); Other lineage 1 (n=3); Lineage 3 (Central Asian, n=24); Other lineage 3 (n=4); Lineage 4 (X3, n=1) and T group (n=3) MTB strains.

RESULTS:

There were 107 SNPs identified from the analysis of 42 PE_PGRS genes; of these, 13 …

Whole Genome Sequencing Based Characterization Of Extensively Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Isolates From Pakistan, Asho Ali, Zahra Hasan, Ruth Mcnerney, Kim Mallard, Grant Hill Cawthorne, Francesc Coll, Mridul Nair, Arnab Pain, Taane G. Clark, Rumina Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Improved molecular diagnostic methods for detection drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains are required. Resistance to first- and second- line anti-tuberculous drugs has been associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in particular genes. However, these SNPs can vary between MTB lineages therefore local data is required to describe different strain populations. We used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to characterize 37 extensively drug-resistant (XDR) MTB isolates from Pakistan and investigated 40 genes associated with drug resistance. Rifampicin resistance was attributable to SNPs in the rpoB hot-spot region. Isoniazid resistance was most commonly associated with the katG codon 315 (92%) mutation …

Ceftriaxone-Resistant Salmonella Enterica Serotype Typhimurium Sequence Type 313 From Kenyan Patients Is Associated With The Blactx-M-15 Gene On A Novel Inchi2 Plasmid, Samuel Kariuki, Chinyere Okoro, John Kiiru, Samuel Njoroge, Geoffrey Omuse, Gemma Langridge, Robert A. Kingsley, Gordon Dougan, Gunturu Revathi

Pathology, East Africa

Multidrug-resistant bacteria pose a major challenge to the clinical management of infections in resource-poor settings. Although nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) bacteria cause predominantly enteric self-limiting illness in developed countries, NTS is responsible for a huge burden of life-threatening bloodstream infections in sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we characterized nine S. Typhimurium isolates from an outbreak involving patients who initially failed to respond to ceftriaxone treatment at a referral hospital in Kenya. These Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium isolates were resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, aztreonam, cefepime, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and cefpodoxime. Resistance to β-lactams, including to ceftriaxone, was associated with carriage of a combination …

Proceedings Of The African Pathologists Summit; March 22-23, 2013; Dakar, Senegal: A Summary, Shahin Sayed

Pathology, East Africa

Context: This report presents the proceedings of the African Pathologists Summit, held under the auspices of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer.

Objectives: To deliberate on the challenges and constraints of the practice of pathology in Sub-Saharan Africa and the avenues for addressing them.

Participants: Collaborating organizations included the American Society for Clinical Pathology; Association of Pathologists of Nigeria; British Division of the International Academy of Pathology; College of Pathologists of East, Central and Southern Africa; East African Division of the International Academy of Pathology; Friends of Africa-United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology Initiative; International Academy …

Clinical Isolates Of Salmonella Enterica Serovar Agona Producing Ndm-1 Metallo-Beta-Lactamase: First Report From Pakistan, Seema Irfan, Erum Khan, Kauser Jabeen, Pushpa Bhawan, Katie L. Hopkins, Martin Day, Amna Nasir, Daniele Meunier, Neil Woodford

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

We report two cases of infantile diarrhea due to multidrug-resistant, NDM-1 metallo-beta-lactamase-producing Salmonella enterica serovar Agona from Pakistan. This study alerts toward possible risk of NDM-1 transmission to enteric fever pathogens and encourages microbiologists to consider active screening of carbapenem resistance in nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates.

Rhesus And Kell Phenotyping Of Voluntary Blood Donors: Foundation Of A Donor Data Bank, Farheen Karim, Bushra Moiz, Fahmida Jan Muhammad, Fatima Ausat, Mohammad Khurshid

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

OBJECTIVE: To assess the Rhesus (Rh) and Kell (K) phenotype of voluntary blood donors and lay foundation of a data bank of voluntary blood donors. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Blood Bank, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, in the year 2014.
METHODOLOGY: Voluntary blood donors were inducted after taking written informed consent. Three -5cc of EDTA anticoagulated blood sample was taken to phenotype red cells for C, c, E, e, and Kell antigens using antisera. [DiaMedSwitzerland].
RESULTS: Hundred blood donors were included in the study. ABO blood groups of the donors were: O …